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Tsavo West National Park, Parks & Reserves of Southern Kenya

The Tsavo West National Park has a diversity of habitats, but is not the place to come and tick off large numbers of big game. Rather, it is about relaxing and enjoying the animals and birds in a rugged landscape.

Tsavo West contains about half of the Tsavo National Park area and its habitat includes open plains and savannah bush, semi-desert scrub, acacia woodlands, numerous rocky ridges and outcrops and swathes of riverine vegetation. Towards the Chyulu Hills, the landscape is of recent volcanic origin with some spectacular lava flows known as the Shetani Lava flows.

The park is strikingly beautiful, particularly in the northern section close to the Chyulu Hills. It is possible to drive up to some fabulous vantage points such as Poacher’s Lookout where on a clear day it is possible to view Mount Kilimanjaro. One of Tsavo West’s main attractions is the Mzima Springs, where sparkling crystal-clear springs are home to hippo and crocodile that can be watched from an underground lookout. In addition, the Ngulia Rhinoceros Sanctuary is a 70 square kilometer fenced reserve, established to protect the black rhino, and this is one of the few places in the country where it is possible to view this incredible creature.

The game in Tsavo can vary considerably throughout the year and is at its best at the end of the dry season. In general it is not a reserve to come and tick off large numbers of big game, but predators are not uncommon and it’s also possible to see large herds of elephant as well as buffalo, common waterbuck, eland, gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx, impala and Maasai giraffe.

Birdlife is wonderful, and during a stay in the park you can expect to see starlings, parrots, barbets, rollers, storks, herons and more.